A cleaning tip my mom gave me is whenever you put your hand towel in the laundry, wet it a little and then wipe down some of your bathroom surfaces like sink, counter.

A minimalist wardrobe was also a game changer for me. Just way less stuff to manage. And it actually turned me into a person who doesn't mind laundry and folding. 😆

At age 12, we had to do our own laundry. My mother felt if we could operate technology, VCR at the time, we could turn on a washing machine and dryer. I did the same with my kids. There is a training period but well worth it. Training Includes folding and putting away. I also gave each kid their own coloured laundry basket. Game changer!

I would like to say a resounding YES!!!! to the clothes being put away straight from the dryer. When I started making this a priority, my husband noticed IMMEDIATELY and began thanking me profusely!!! And just to clarify, he rarely noticed anything about my housekeeping before this. After years of him praising me for this, I had to ask why this was so important to him. He said every other married firefighter that he’s worked with has steadily complained that their stay at home wives would just leave the clothes in the dryer or all over the living room to get wrinkled. It was a constant search for clean clothes and they felt completely disrespected. He said he felt so loved and respected because I didn’t treat him or his clothes that way. Most of these men said they would rather have take out food every day if it meant their clothes were clean and where they were supposed to be. This is also leverage ( at a later time) for the clothes on the floor conversation that makes us homemakers feel disrespected. My husband hasn’t left clothes on the floor now for more than 15 years because he immediately understood when I showed him the similarities.

When watching TV pick up during the ads. You'll be surprised as to how much time that adds up to.

I work at a child care program. I set an alarm for checking diapers every hour-for four hours. I left the alarm on for my days off. Tidy is better than dirty diapers!

Using your "Take it there now!" is actually key to having a neat and tidy home. Why wait for a five minute pick-up, or an hour of decluttering? When you finish using something put it away right now! If you don't have time to do it right now, when will you have time to do it later? Your two decluttering questions have sure helped me lately. Keep up the good work.

Throw away a pen that doesn't work. 😂 I I don't know why I needed to hear that, but I really really did. Thank you.

SUMMARY: 1:15 PUT things (back) in their PROPER PLACE. e.g. Fold laundry straight out of the dryer and put them in drawers, closets, etc. 3:37 Use HANGERS as much as possible instead of spending time folding 4:30 Do DECLUTTERING in 5-MINUTE increments and use a TIMER. Aim for at least once per day, put also whenever you think of it. 6:40 For cleaning the bathroom, use a dishwand with handle that holds dish soap. Keep in shower and clean while showering. Use sponges labeled as "scratch free" 8:15 PUT things (back) in their PROPER PLACE e.g. Discard pens that do not work

When my kids were little, I was so organized. I had to be. Even though it was completely against my nature. I scrubbed the toilet every morning. I did a load of laundry every day. I purged their clothes every 6 months. I dusted and vacuumed on Fridays. Etc. When they reached a certain age, I stopped. Everything. It was great. Until it wasn't. I've been doing the bare minimum for years and I'm drowning in stuff. Thank you for the inspiration to do a little bit more each day.💕

Girl, make more vids! Your personality is wonderful to be near.

I put a closet rod near the drier. Each child had a different color of hanger. As I took clothes out of the drier I put them on the hanger by outfits ( that the kids had decided they liked to wear together). It was easy to take a couple hangers to hang into their closet. Sometimes I even hung their underpants over the hook. The boys also had Nike socks with the same color swoosh, one boy had red, one blue, and their dad had black. No need to match socks, and it didn’t matter if one wore out or got lost because the remaining socks matched all the others. I bought 12 pair at Fred Meyers the day after Thanksgiving when all socks are 50% off.

You looking directly into my soul telling me to throw away a pen if it doesn't write...I wasn't prepared....

I have found my way here from Dawn at The Minimal Mom, and I cannot say thank you enough!

The pen advice reminds me of an awesome life quote that also apply to cleaning..."Do Something today that your future self will thank you for." So like the tossing of a bad pen. Your future self is grateful to grab a pen and it works! (another example is I have a favorite set of inexpensive shoes for work that I love (very comfortable)...but can be hard to find in my size. So one time I bought an extra pair. One day my shoes were falling apart and I worried I would have to go "hunt" for a new pair when I didn't have time in my schedule....TAADAA...I had my extra pair and my stress level dropped to zero and I smiled and thanked myself. AMAZING feeling. (and I immediately trashed the old pair!)

I’m here because of Minimal Mom. First time seeing your channel. Good video. I subscribed.

Fill the shower scrubber thing with vinegar and dawn. Game changer.

If the pen doesn't work... "Thow. The Pen. Away!". Your delivery! I was in stitches. :D I'm new to your channel, but I'll be back - you combine two of my favourite things. Cleaning/organising vids and comedy. Thank you. I hope your cleaning course in 2021 goes well!

Hey Girl! Great video, I'm loving these tips! One tip you skipped is something my Mom used to tell me. Make your bed every day. It is the largest thing in your bedroom, and even if the rest of the room is trashed, at least your bed looks neat. It helps the room look neater.

Dana is great. I'm 80 years old. When I was young, my parents kept on me all the time to pick up after myself, "Don't throw things on the floor, I'm not your maid," etc. I hated to hear it then, but now I'm grateful to them. Keeping my house in order means just needing to remember all the lessons they taught me. Also learn some new tricks from Dana, as I start my Swedish Death Cleaning. Thanks, girl.

You’re pretty amazing!!! My two ways to keep the house neat and tidy is: clean the kitchen at the end of the night and do a 5 minute pickup at the end of the night.

Your "5 minute pick up" has been life changing for me! I can totally do 5 minutes! It is when I look at the entire/complete task that I become overwhelmed. Those "5 minute pick up" sessions are making a tremendous impact. Thank you. 💜🌺💜

Lol! Thought I was the only one who wanted to clean my shower and myself at the SAME time!!!! Soul sister!

You have a gift for humour and your videos always make me chuckle and happier for the day, in addition to the fact that I have learned so much from you! Have a super 2024!

As soon as my laundry is done, I stand by the dryer, fold my clothes and put my blouses on hangers, walk back to my bedroom and everything gets put away. What a difference since I began that three years ago. Then, don't forget the "turned hagnger" purge concept!!! *I love how you promote the "no need to be perfect" theory. *LOVE the shower hack!!!!! I am so glad I found you!

I tried that “scrubbie thing” in the bathroom a few years back. I have a shower tub combo. It seemed like a great idea. I hated it! It was always leaking and gross looking. To clean the tub I just wet it down and squeeze vim all over it. I then use a fairly stiff broom that I have for this purpose. Soooo much easier on the back! It’s quick and easy too.

I just finished decluttering at the speed of life and wanted to say that you really spoke to me! You get me! And I’ve already found some success implementing your strategies. What a wonderful book. And the pen comment - I literally did that today. 🤦‍♀️ haha

I've been hearing Dawn (The Minimal Mom) refer to your tips and say how much she loves you for almost a year now! This is my first time to watch one of your videos and... I love you too! 😂🥰Your practical, down-to-earth, humorous personality is so encouraging! I will definitely be watching more of your videos! Thank you!

"Pen doesn't work...throw it away"...your candor with the "it's so obvious..why do we keep doing this to ourselves?" attitude made me laugh. That's so me! Cause it's easier to toss it back in the drawer...AND--it "might" work next time, right? RIGHT??!! Or not.....;)

I always break a pen that doesn’t work before I throw it away so it doesn’t get retrieved.

Instead of five minutes, I pick up 23 things. It’s a weird number, but it works for me. If I put away 23 things from any space, it looks immediately better. Sometimes I keep going, but I often stop after just 23 things. It always helps, and often I go on to other chores.

I love that you keep your youtube channel updated. KZfaq is where i go to hide and procrastinate so it brings me back to reality

I concur with the "hang as much as you can" tip. I purged my closet to the point where I can hang everything in it except my underwear, sleepwear, and accessories. And I even have a spare drawer in my dresser where I now store boxes for mending supplies, eyeglass cases and care, and shoe care.

That pen issue! Same with batteries- my pet peeve, lol

Hi Beauty. You're never gonna believe this but I ALWAYS fold out of the dryer and I actually like doing it. I started because I use laundrymats and I despise the thought of putting my gorgeously clean clothing on those gross tables at the laundrymat, no one knows wth is on those tables hhaha It's the one thing I actually love doing. I despise doing dishes I wish there was a way to make my brain love doing dishes as much as I love folding out of the laundry. Bye doll. Thanks for changing EVERYTHING in my life for the better.

I hated folding clothes, although I always did when the dryer stopped, I made it easier by setting 3 small baskets on the floor under the dryer door. As I removed the items from the dryer I sorted and put the smaller items in the baskets and hung the larger items over the door. Example: bath towels, wash cloths, hand towels...the bath towels went over the door, wash cloths went into a basket, hand towels went into a basket. Why does this work? B/c it is easier to repeat the same action over and over...folding all the wash cloths goes faster than folding a wash cloth, then folding a bath towel, then folding a hand towel. This especially works when folding underwear and socks. I no longer hate folding clothes.

I use vinegar and blue dawn in my dish scrubber for the shower! Gets hard water spots off those darn doors!

I learned from my Mom to hang up, and fold and put away my clean laundry immediately after it all dried. In addition to helping to keep my home neat and tidy, it saves me time later. I love the idea of using a dish scrubber to clean the tile in my shower! 😀

My grandmother use to always say, "Don't put off 'till tomorrow what you can do today." I'm hearing her voice in your advice. Just do it. It's so motivating to have more time and piece of mind doing things right away. Great tips!

Oooooh the soap filled scrubber for the shower!!! LIFE CHANGING! 🙌🏼

First time watching....after hearing about you on Minimal Mom....definitely worth my time.....you really made me laugh! But also, your tips are valid and quite helpful. Please continue to do these videos. I dont see any from this year.🙂

Lol-read somewhere that when someone was going through her father’s house after he died, he found a box labeled “Pens that Don’t Work”!!!!!!!!!😑

Great tips. I especially agree with hanging clothes up. I hang all my t.shirts, jumpers, cardigans & trousers. About the only things I fold are underwear & pyjamas. I also totally agree with putting clothes etc away as soon as the tumble dryer has finished. I can’t stand it around the house all day. You made me chuckle about pens, or Biros as we usually them in the UK.

Holy Toledo! I can't believe there's someone else that has the same obsession with deadpens as I do! lol Such great advice...

Hang wet clothes on hangers and dry them, makes putting away so easy.

I was folding-resistant for years because I believed it took "a lot of time". Until I timed myself. I was astonished to discover it took about 1/4 of the time I estimated. Now when I try to put it off, I just remind myself that it won't take long.

These are really simple hints but 'oh, so true'. My washer & dryer are in the basement (which is not very nice to hang out in) but I bring the clothes upstairs and fold them right away and put them away. The hint about the pens that don't write made me laugh! Why do we think that the pen will write next time if it doesn't write now I will never know! Have a great day!

I have learned to trust you, Dana. And the more ridiculous i think the practice is… the bigger impact it has on my home. Love all your books, and the podcasts help keep me motivated. Thank you !!

1.Do dishes 2.Reduce amout papers that comes to you home 3.Decrease dishes until you have amount that fit into your shelf 🙂declutter dishes 🙃 4.store your food containers with the lids on 5. Set a donation box.

6) Fold your clothes straight out of the dryer and put them away 7) Hang as much as you can instead of folding 8) Whenever you think of it, do a five-minute pick-up 9) Buy a soap in the handle dish scrubber; write on it bathroom; keep it in the shower; use it to clean the shower when you're in the shower (make sure to get non-scratch version) 10) If you try to write with a pen and it doesn't work, throw the pen away

I just have to say your hair is so flattering, the length, the style & the color. All thru the video, I kept saying to myself that you look so pretty today. ♥♥♥

You're the greatest of all time! Please make your KZfaq return! We are all waiting :3

THANK YOU for emphasizing tasks, goals, and routines over strict schedules! I have tried setting schedules in the past and without fail, something important comes up every time that completely derails my schedule! (Things like a suddenly finding out a friend is visiting from out of town and that's the only day they can meet up. This literally happened to me the day after I set up a tight schedule laying out my activities every half hour.)

I have lots of room for growth in managing my home, but putting away laundry right away is something I’ve always found satisfying.

4 years later I’m watching this video and I believe it is a few simple steps to keeping the house neater. I watched the first 5 steps before this video and enjoyed the simplicity that Dana explains. If Dana reads this I hope you will consider more videos with simple tips for a neater home. So easy to implement into my daily routine and work. I purchased 2 books from you, Thanks Dana for making it easy.

I have to say, I was like you. I resisted the fold laundry from the dryer technique because I felt like I didn't have the time. But this has CHANGED MY LIFE. I used to have laundry baskets piled up with clean clothes on my bedroom floor. Everyone had to dig through the piles to find socks or whatever they were looking for. And certain people *ahem* would leave the clean clothes spilled all over the floor. If I tried to fold them, it would take an hour and a half to 2 hours. I simplified everyone's clothes, do laundry every day and fold from the dryer in 15-20 min. Completely life changing. The other amazing tip I have been using is to sweep my kitchen everyday (dishes were a non-issue). Thank you so much Dana!

Thank you so much for the tip about the dish scrubber in the shower! I have arthritis in my hands and it been hard and painful to wash my bathtub. This has been life changing! 😄👍

I watched this video before, but i enjoy going back and listening to Dana's videos multiple times. As for laundry, I only have 1 blouse I put in the dresser, all else is on hangers. I grab laundry from dryer, dump it on my bed and put it away. There's just 2 of us here now and 1 load a day works for us. But I totally understand having a laundry day; I did this when our kids were at home. ❤

LOVE the 5 min pick up WHEN you think of it. Game changer! I too forgot that I have planned a time and my perfectionism trips me up because I don’t get round to doing it. But 5 mins when I think of it- so simple and obvious but to me that is genius!!! Thankyou!!!!!! Please make more vids, they are great! 👌👍☺️x

My youngest loves to test pens or markers to see if they work. She loves when I come across a pencil box ful of old stuff from who knows when school years.lol

Love you Dana!! I'm a super OCD person that is disabled and we moved and had excessive storm damage before even totally unpacking. Chaos everywhere and it hasn't stopped since the repairs were completed. Your " systems" have helped me finally see "the light of day" in so many areas. The NO MESS method is a Godsend. Binge watching in spurts and sharing your content as well as telling everyone how this has helped me. Please keep it coming

I hit play on this today just as I was taking laundry out of the dryer and putting it on the couch. 🤣 I wouldn’t have folded it if the first tip didn’t tell me to, so thank you!!

I’m pretty pumped, I’ve watched every video from the Minimal Mom and Clutterbug so now I can binge yours!

in Washington State the best thing is the Fisher Fair Scones with Raspberry Jam, when I was very young (60 years ago) you could buy a bag of 12 for $1.00 now they are probably $1.00 each. Oh and the Onion Burgers - the onions are Walla Walla Sweet Onions and they fry the onions in Cocoa Powder. SMELLS amazing and taste great!

I don’t have space in the laundry room to this, but I take the basket immediately to the bedroom and sort and put stuff away.

I love your gentle and unemotional plan. Thank you for helping me overcome! (Or BEGIN overcoming!)

I can testify 🙌🏼 these 2 things works for me: 1. Store things with the lid on. (I actually use my containers more now and not wasting time scrounging for a lid when most of them didn’t fit) 2. Shower scrubber (AWESOME!) I also use a squeegee on the glass doors to remove water stains. WOW! I was already trying to keep up on dishes and making the bed. It’s like that old saying “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time! I take 1 bite and wait a week or 2 to add another tip. That way it becomes a habit and I’m not overwhelmed. Awesome tips! ✅

Hello, over here from Cas, CLUTTERBUG...great ideas...Decluttering the dishes, I actually did this years ago with silverware, for some reason when the kids were all home there would be tons of dirty silverware all the time. So I washed it all n only put 8 each in the drawer n put the extras away for family functions only, when the extra plates come out...Tfs...God bless...

I have had a laundry loveseat for years. I have read both of your books many times. Thanks you for helping me gain control of my home.

Found your videos today and they’re honestly like a breath of fresh air 🤩 The pen rule for me was like a lightbulb moment...why am I keeping all these useless pens? 😆 Thank you Dana!💕

You have inspired me (especially your podcast) as I went on my journey from overwhelm (and depression/anxiety) toward creativity again (hence becoming a youtube creator myself). I'm a mom, so it's kinda important that I am thriving! Thank you.

I dig the advice but if you are like me and this video started to feel too long to watch- watch it at 1.25 speed. You'll barely notice its fast :)

I totally agree with folding the laundry right out of the dryer. I started doing this about 10 years ago. You have to fold the clothes or you can't dry the next load!!!!!!!! I usually fold the clothes while I'm waiting on something to cook/bake. It's amazing how little time it actually takes to fold a load of laundry.

This resonates with me! We just started with 10 bags and will be sharing our journey starting in January---- so excited to see the end result once we minimize! Definitely have waaaaayyy too many pens (but they work!!) and craft things -- but it's super challenging since we are a homeschooling family with 4 kiddos-- definitely will be a challenge going through all those stuff! What has helped us tons is having them choose 7 to 10 outfits only with extra ones in their bins--hopefully it'll help with laundry and their drawers not being too stuffed since we are just starting this! Some of the kids had more than 20 shirts In their drawers and they really don't need that many. And yes--- 5 minute pick up is crucial-- we call it "pick up 10" (each person picks up and puts away 10 items only)

I go to a laundro-mat. I fold as I take 1 week's clothes (for one person) out of the big dryer. When we moved, when children were mid-young, I went to a laundro-mat once a week for five people. Did't know people DID NOT fold as they went.

Love your content Dana! The line “I don’t like to be tricked not even by myself” had me 🤣🤣🤣 I can relate!

I just bought one of your books on kindle! How to manage your home without losing your mind. I can't wait to read it! ❤ Lord knows ive needed you in my life for years now.. i have felt so stuck and paralyzed! Youve given me hope! God Bless You!! ❤

Omg the scheduled 5 minute pick up. Yeah that always gets missed. I don’t know what personality type that is, but it’s mine, too. I will definitely shift my mindset to whenever I think of it!

Haha the pen thing!! This is me!!! “Maybe later when I have more time I can fix it somehow. I’ll save it.”

I think you're going to save my marriage and sanity. haha! I just bought the audible version of "Decluttering at the speed of life" and absolutely love it so far. New fan, here!

While listening to this video, I did the dishes. 😂 Took me 17 mins. So glad I decided to do it right then. Now when I wake up, it's already done! 💕 Thank you! 😊

Hi, Dana! I just found your channel today & have been binge watching. I do have a question for you that I couldn't find the answer to in the videos I watched. My house was built in 1945. I have two small bedroom closets & 5 kitchen cabinets. That is ALL the storage space I have in my entire house! I literally have pathways from room to room where I have Rubbermaid boxes containing all our stuff. We've been living here for 2 yrs next month (June) & I am just lost trying to declutter. I just KNOW that if I get rid of something I'll need it next week & have to go buy another one. Please help a Texas sister out & do a video on what to do when you don't have storage in your house & how to truly get rid of everything. *My heart just cracked while typing that last sentence.* Thank you!

That shower tip is awesome! That is the one place I haven't figured out a good system for me. UNTIL NOW! Thanks🥰

I've watched a lot of organizing videos. Then I found yours. They are, by far, the best suggestions I've ever heard. Amazing.

I'm in the midst of a total cleanup, and a friend pointed me to your channel! As so many have, I've come to find mess unberable, as we have all had to be home so much for so long now. It's made us all really confront and to see our mess, now that we've had to live wtih it for so long. I'm glad you pointed out doing a bit of de clutter a day. Even if we are at a point of having a place that is tidy, when we let this little mess here then this little mess there pile up, before we know it, we have a huge mess! I tend to block off things by type of mess too. Like one day I'll do a tidy up of papers and bills, the next day decor, etc. I really try to go after what will be the easeist task first so I can get space cleared out right away, and larger things, so that lots of space is cleared up in one go. I look forward to checking out your channel more!

When I worked in a corporate office and my pen would run out of ink, I would throw it on the floor in front of my door to remind myself to take it to the break room where the nonrecyclable trash bin was kept. Inevitably, everybody who walked into my office would pick up the pens and place them on my desk. Sometimes I would repeat this several times in a day until I had a chance to go to the break room!

We always hung everyones’ clothes straight from the dryer. We called all the kids down when we were done with laundry and had them take clothes to their closets! It helped so much!

OMG, you are my freaking spirit animal! You are so helpful with all the stuff you recommend because you think the way I do and struggle with the same stuff. I'm so glad I found you! And I'm glad I ordered both your books!

Minimal mom sent me! I love her and Kas! I can’t wait to get to know your channel!

I just stumbled upon these two videos. I literally just started focusing on my dishes and laundry a few days ago and you just reinforced that I am going in the right direction. An extra bonus is seeing my husband more relaxed lol!

I’ve recently gotten both your books and been following your podcasts. I can relate so much! Finally someone who has the same thought process on cleaning. Thanks for the help!

Please please make more videos. You are so relatable and funny and I want to hear more from you!!

Dana, we need more videos. Your info is so helpful.

I have your book “Declutter at the speed of life” and it is a game changer and it is the BEST book on home organizing- life skill- and I swear you wrote it for me - especially the foosball table! I was always making ridiculous purchases that were more aggravating than useful because they were a good deal! I have been using your book as a bible since the beginning of the year and I can’t believe how much of a difference getting rid of the stuff in my home has made a difference! Thank you doesn’t seem like enough for what you have done for me and my family!

Thank God for your work

I love your expression "Laundry recliner"!😂 Thanks for sharing!

Your pen tip reminded me of an old room mate. He would throw his lighter out immediately if it ran out and get a new one from his stash. He made that rule when his ex moved out and he found a lighters everywhere, none of which worked.

It's refreshing to here you advocate for hanging clothes when possible. I hang all my tops and bottoms, and love doing that rather than folding.

Absolutely genius idea on the shower scrubie!

I have watched so many of your videos and learned so much on how to do this with three children in the house and I’m visually impaired it’s taking us a while to get the crap out of the house literally 10 years worth of things have gone out the house we have managed to get our house down from 100% true around 630% and trying to keep only the things that we know we like use and need to have it’s taking me now for days to go to my kitchen day number five will be cabinets I learn to section things off make quick decisions get things out of the house and put things where they actually belong love all the laundry hacks right now we have a huge issue with laundry out of control I’m gonna take what you said and put it to great use thank you so much